Building talent in South Africa

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Our commitment to developing small businesses and individuals in South Africa has won us a Level 1 rating with the Government, under its Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act (B-BBEE).

The South African Government introduced its Black Economic Empowerment programme in 2003, aiming to redress the balance of society. The latest version of the legislation, which came into force in 2014, puts more emphasis on black start-up businesses, SMMEs, co-operatives and entrepreneurs – as well as removing some of the potential loopholes that some had been exploiting.

Over the past six years, we worked with over 50 qualifying small enterprises (QSEs) in South Africa, such as Isithembiso Suppliers to improve their skills and processes to compete with large, established players for tenders in the infrastructure, oil and gas and real estate sectors. With their technical and quality standards established, QSEs can tender for work with larger organisations, helping them to grow into more sustainable businesses.

To create greater opportunities in our communities, we also provide bursaries to university students. Last year, we awarded four bursaries to secondand third-year BSc construction students from disadvantaged backgrounds, paying their academic fees and providing work experience placements and learning development programmes with us.